“Today’s figures show that the tough action we have taken is having a sustained impact on reducing mixed sex accommodation breaches. Greater transparency has now driven down breaches by more than 80 per cent since December. I’d like to pay tribute to all the NHS staff across the country who have worked so hard to make this happen.

“However, there are still too many breaches. This is why hospitals face fines of £250 for every breach, which can then be reinvested back into patient care.”